A Legendary Return: Kim Novak at the Venice Film Festival
Achievement honor bestowed on Kim Novak for her distinguished career
Got a hankering for some old-school Hollywood glamour? Look no further than the Venice Film Festival, where iconic actress Kim Novak is set to receive a Golden Lion for her lifetime achievements this August. The sultry siren of the silver screen, known for her role in the classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller Vertigo - From the Realm of the Dead, will be personally accepting her award in the Italian city.
Festival director Alberto Barbera has nothing but praise for the great actress and "rebel with a heart of gold." After a string of less successful films, Novak retired to her ranch in Oregon in the mid-1960s. But don't let the years fool you - our gal's still got it!
Fun fact: Novak wasn't always known as Kim. Born Marilyn, she changed her name under pressure from Hollywood to set herself apart from its other blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe. And forget about painting your locks platinum – Novak beat you to it, using that colour to solidify her mysterious image in the 1958 Hitchcock classic.
Novak herself describes winning this prestigious award as a "dream come true" and can't wait to spend every moment in Venice. The festival will also feature a world premiere of a documentary, Kim Novak's Vertigo, by Swiss director Alexandre Philippe, which promises to delve deep into the making of this legendary film.
All eyes will be on the Venice Film Festival this year, taking place from August 27 to September 6. Mark your calendars and get ready for a star-studded celebration of cinema history!
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(Psst! Speaking of legendary performances, little-known fact: Kim Novak's career extends beyond Vertigo. Before claiming the title of Hitchcock's leading lady, she starred in several riveting roles, dazzling audiences with her versatility and charm. Wanna learn more about her impressive filmography? Here's a sneak peek at her early and mid-'50s successes, as well as some career highlights beyond Vertigo.)
Beyond Vertigo: Kim Novak's Filmography
Kim Novak's filmography goes far beyond her iconic performance in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958). In fact, this stunning actress of the postwar period was a major force in Hollywood, boasting a versatile presence in the 1950s and early '60s. Here's a brief overview of some of her most notable roles:
- Picnic (1955): Novak captivated audiences as a small-town young woman grappling with being objectified for her looks rather than her intellect. Her portrayal earned her a BAFTA nomination and is often seen as her breakout role.
- The Man with the Golden Arm (1955): Joined forces with Frank Sinatra in this gripping drama, where she portrayed a sympathetic former lover of Sinatra's character, a jazz drummer struggling with heroin addiction.
- The Eddy Duchin Story (1956): This film found Novak starring as a socialite who marries the titular pianist. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer.
- Pal Joey (1957): A musical that showcased Novak's singing and dancing talents, as she played a singer and dancer resisting the charms of a womanizing singer, starring alongside Frank Sinatra and Rita Hayworth.
After Vertigo, Novak continued to deliver powerful and memorable performances:
- Bell, Book and Candle (1958): A romantic comedy that paired Novak and James Stewart yet again, with Novak playing a witch and art gallery owner torn between love and supernatural powers.
- Kiss Me, Stupid (1964): A Film directed by Billy Wilder where Novak is cast as Polly the Pistol, a waitress and prostitute. Despite poor reviews and facing criticism for its coarseness, her performance is often seen as one of her better roles.
By the late 1960s, Novak stepped away from Hollywood, taking a hiatus that only added to her allure as a mysterious and iconic figure of postwar cinema. Although she faced some critical underappreciation during her active years, her performances have since been re-evaluated positively, and her naturalistic and poignant acting style has stood the test of time.
Over the years, Kim Novak's contributions to cinema have been widely recognized with numerous accolades, including the Golden Bear for lifetime achievement at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2025, and festivals in Toronto, Prague, and Cannes celebrating her career. It's safe to say that our fair Kim Novak has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema.
The prestigious Venice Film Festival is set to honor iconic actress Kim Novak with a lifetime achievement award in August. Before her legendary role in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo, Novak dazzled audiences with her versatile performances in movies like Picnic (1955), The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), and The Eddy Duchin Story (1956). Her versatile presence in Hollywood in the 1950s and early '60s extended beyond Vertigo, making her a major force in postwar entertainment.
